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2018 Hyundai Tucson

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tucson years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson are substantially higher than the model-year median of 180.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

112 reports with mileage · 283 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 243 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

395 reports
47,000 miles · Jul 29, 2021
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the manufacturer and the dealer and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failu…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the manufacturer and the dealer and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #11427043

96,000 miles · Jul 8, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 35-40 mph and making a turn, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The passenger engaged the parking brakes to stop the vehicle. The engine, battery, and oil warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, while driving the e…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 35-40 mph and making a turn, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The passenger engaged the parking brakes to stop the vehicle. The engine, battery, and oil warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, while driving the engine ceased. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V543000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11423988

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2021
Engine

On the way to taking my son to the hospital, the car stopped working, delaying the medical care I needed for my son after being attacked by a pitbull. It was then towed to the dealership who regularly services the car. They stated it was the motor. Stated I need a new one. Stated it failed due to missing the oil change by two we…

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On the way to taking my son to the hospital, the car stopped working, delaying the medical care I needed for my son after being attacked by a pitbull. It was then towed to the dealership who regularly services the car. They stated it was the motor. Stated I need a new one. Stated it failed due to missing the oil change by two weeks. There were no warning signs/signals or anything coming from the car that would have caused me to bring the car in sooner.

NHTSA ODI #11423637

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2021
Engine

44,000 miles on car. While driving on highway noticed an 18 wheeler three feet behind me, tried to accelerate and nothing happened. Right before the car started making a noise, luckily no one was in the right lane so I coasted to the median. I was just informed the car needs an engine. Two days before I heard a fluttering sound …

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44,000 miles on car. While driving on highway noticed an 18 wheeler three feet behind me, tried to accelerate and nothing happened. Right before the car started making a noise, luckily no one was in the right lane so I coasted to the median. I was just informed the car needs an engine. Two days before I heard a fluttering sound and the car seemed to have trouble accelerating.

NHTSA ODI #11423460

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2021
Power Train

My vehicle bucks when first pulling out. like a manual transmission.

NHTSA ODI #11423331

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and t…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11419378

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Lag and than quick acceleration upon take off. RPM revs to2000, but power serge comes a few seconds later. Just bought this car, have not returned it for testing yet, but now understand Hyundai knows about this problem, but has no solution. Could be a hugh safety hazzard.

NHTSA ODI #11418154

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2021
Unknown Or Other

My car will excelerate with no warning

NHTSA ODI #11417863

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2021
Service Brakes, Air

2018 Hyundai Tucson. Consumer writes in regard to NHTSA Safety Recall 20V-543. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH AN UNREPAIRED OPENED RECALL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11417661

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2021
Service Brakes

THE PARTS TO FIX THIS RECALL ARE BACKORDERED. THEY HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND OWNERS DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. IN THE MEANTIME, WE RISK HAVING OUR CARS START A FIRE WHICH CAN LEAD TO SEVERE DAMAGE AND/OR DEATH. SEP 04,2020 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER195 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER20V543000 RECALL STATUS:…

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THE PARTS TO FIX THIS RECALL ARE BACKORDERED. THEY HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND OWNERS DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. IN THE MEANTIME, WE RISK HAVING OUR CARS START A FIRE WHICH CAN LEAD TO SEVERE DAMAGE AND/OR DEATH. SEP 04,2020 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER195 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER20V543000 RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE SUMMARY HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA (HYUNDAI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2016-2021 TUCSON VEHICLES. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU) COULD CORRODE INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. SAFETY RISK THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ("ABS") MODULES THAT COULD MALFUNCTION INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OVER TIME, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT OVERCURRENT IN THE ABS MODULE, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11416247

Official recalls

1

20V543000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 4, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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